Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefits are now available for eligible families and seniors across the state. The program provides checks to be redeemed at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands through the end of November for the purchase of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

The number of participating stands has nearly doubled in two years, from 40 in 2015 to 77 so far this year, according to a release from the governor’s office.

A total of $6 million in FMNP benefits are available to families through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC. Approximately 250,000 booklets consisting of six $4 checks, or a total of $24, will be distributed this year, allowing for the purchase of fruits and vegetables from over 900 farmers vending at over 600 farmers’ markets and farm stands across the state.

Checks are available to eligible families at nearly 400 sites across New York State and at WIC clinic locations. In Albany, checks are available at the Whitney M. Young Health Center at 920 Lark St. (518-465-9387) and at the Women’s Health Center at Albany Medical College at 220 Green St. (518-432-4033). In Schenectady, checks are available at the Cornell Cooperative Extension at 650 Franklin St. (518-346-8818). And in Schoharie County, checks are available through the Schoharie County Community Action at 795 East Main St., Suite 5 (518-234-2568).

A pocket folder with instructions on how and where to use the checks is included with each booklet. Checks may be used at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands through Nov. 30 of this year.

For seniors

The $2.5 million Senior FMNP provides checks to eligible people who are 60 and older to purchase $20 worth of produce. Program benefits are provided on an individual basis instead of per household, also expanding the reach of the program to older New Yorkers.

In upstate communities, checks are now available at county area Offices for the Aging. In Albany County, the office is located at 162 Washington Ave. (518-447-7198).

Approximately 125,000 booklets consisting of five $4 checks will be distributed to older New Yorkers this year. Recipients must be 60 or older and meet the income eligibility requirement of $1,860 or less per month for a single person or $2,504 per month for a couple — or affirm that they are currently receiving or eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income, or public assistance or Section 8 housing subsidy.

Recipients cannot have received Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program checks from any other location this season.

The programs are funded through the United States Department of Agriculture and New York State.  For a listing of farmers' markets across the state, please visit www.data.ny.gov.